TRIP FACTS
Price: 2,849€
Tour type: Trekking
Duration: 8 days - 7 nights
Walking per day: 5 - 7 hours
Group size: Min. 5 - Max. 12
Accommodation: Tent and hostel (Read here)
Language: English and French
Departures/Meeting point: July and August/Kulusuk Airport
Tour code: GRE02
Do you want a private departure of this trip? Contact Us, or send an email to info@arctichiking.gl
HIGHLIGHTS OF TOUR
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- The Peaks around the Sungate and the Qinertivaq fjord.
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- The “ice beaches” in Sermilik fjord.
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- The incredible Iceberg view from the Tiniteqilaaq ridge.
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- The floating glacier front of Knud Rasmusen glacier in the Karale fjord
Icebergs in the Sermilik fjord viewed from around Tiniteqilaaq
The Icefjord trek
One of the fastest-moving glaciers in Greenland and the world is the Helheim glacier. The Helheim glacier calves icebergs of all sizes, shapes, and forms into the Sermilik fjord, or the Icefjord, in East Greenland, at the speed of approximately 60 meters pr. day. The Sermilik fjord is surrounded by steep and pointed, glacier-covered mountains. North of the Icefjord reigns the edge of the Greenland Ice Cap, which is impressive and enormous.
A fantastic sailing excursion lets us discover the village Kumiiuut, the WW2 airport at Ikatek and the floating glacier front of Knud Rasmusen glacier in the Karale fjord.
At the end of each day, one can enjoy the calm and serenity of the Arctic. This is without a doubt one of the most interesting treks one can do in Greenland!
Itinerary
Day 1 : Kulusuk
Flight from Keflavík airport to Kulusuk at 17.30 (5.30 pm). Arrival 18.15 local time. The guide greets the group at the airport in Kulusuk and after putting the luggage on a quad trailer, walks with the group to the village which takes about 30 min. Night in a local house, dormitory style.
Day 2 : Tiniteqilaq - Sermilik Icefjord - Sharp summits
In the morning, we go shopping before leaving Kulusuk. We sail along Ammassalik Island and its sharp peaks and then through the Ikaasa strait with steep mountains on both sides. We arrive to Tiniteqilaq, a tiny village at the opening of the Sermiliq Icefjord. After a short visit, the guide leads us through a very mineral landscape up to a 410m (1345ft) summit with breathtaking views towards the Greenland Icecap. The Sermilik is in full view with its vast amounts of Icebergs surrounded by amazing mountains. Arrival at our first campsite in a small fjord late in the afternoon. 5 hours walk.
Day 3 : The second viewpoint and the Narrow fjord
We climb the rocky hills again up to 538m (1765ft) for another fantastic viewpoint. After enjoying the Sermilik and its thousands of Icebergs we descend to the narrowest fjord one could imagine, the Amitsivattiva. It’s only a couple of hundred meters across but over 4km long. We put our camp up at the bottom of this fjord. 5-6 hours walk.
Day 4 : Along the lake, to the Sapulik bay
After our breakfast, we load the baggage boat before heading ona rocky path along a long green/blue lake. At the end of the lake, we cross a river that flows from a nearby glacier into the lake. Another river flows from the lake and we follow it to a small bay called Sapulik. We follow the shores of Sapulik until we arrive at its narrowest part, at the opening to the Sermilik fjord where we put up our camp. Breathtaking view of the Greenland ice cap and the Icebergs on the fjord. We might even see a whale. 6-7 hours walk.
Day 5 : Along the Sermilk (Icefjord) coast to Nuuk peninsula
We walk along the coast and sometimes up on the hills above the shore, on our way to the north. We might hear a crack in an iceberg breaking the silence or the sound of an occasional Ringed Plover. We come to a small bay where we might see hundreds of stranded icebergs, each of them the size of a car. We continue to a larger bay where we must wade across a river, and again there is stranded ice of all sizes and forms. In the afternoon we arrive at a peninsula called Nuuk where we put up our camp. 6-7 hours walk.
Day 6 : Sun Gate and Qinertivaq fjord
In the early morning we leave the Sermilik fjord and start our hike through a narrow valley between steep mountains and glaciers. The valley leads us to the Trout lake, a small lake surrounded by steep mountains and glaciers rising to around 1850m (6000ft). The mountain view is simply breathtaking. At Trout Lake, we turn northeast and cross a glacial river that runs into the lake. On the riverbanks, we can admire the national flower of Greenland, the Dwarf Fireweed, also called Arctic River Beauty. We continue to the Qinertivaq fjord where we put up our last camp. 8 hours walk.
Day 7 : Kumiiuut and Knud Rasmussen
Sailing excursion to discover the village Kumiiuut, the WW2 airport at Ikatek and the floating glacier front of Knud Rasmusen glacier in the Karale fjord. Fantastic topping on a great trek. After we arrive to Kulusuk we take a short walk around the village, go to a facinating local museum and prepare a last festive dinner together in our house. 2 hours walk
Day 8 : Kulusuk - Keflavik Airport
After breakfast in our house in Kulusuk, we take a walk through the village and into the hills that surround it. Learn about the story of Cap Dan and its role in the Cold War and admire some of the pristine nature of Kulusuk Island. We pack our things and put the bags on the quad trailer before walking to the airport where we say farewell. At 19.00 (7 pm), a flight to Keflavik, arrival at 21.45 local time.
Included in price (2,849€):
Guiding, Boat transfer from Kulusuk to the start of the trek, boat transfer from end of trek to Karale fjord and to Kulusuk at the end of the trek, all luggage transport from camp to camp, all food from dinner in Kulusuk on day 1 to lunch in Kulusuk on day 8, Accommodation as described in program, tents, mess tent, all camping and cooking gear, safety equipment (satellite phone, first aid kit, etc.).
Not included in price:
Alcoholic beverages, flights to/from Greenland, sleeping bags (can be rented), other personal expenses, anything not mentioned in “included in price”.
Flights from Keflavik to Kulusuk can be added. Price for flight from 811€. Please send an email to info@arctichiking.gl for further information.
Available dates 2025:
July 8th - Needs 3 more to confirm
July 22nd - Needs only 1 more to confirm
August 7th - Needs 2 more to confirm
August 26th - Departure Confirmed
Emilia –
Guided hiking trip to Greenland’s fjords organized by Arctic Hiking and Expeditions, was a beautiful and immersive experience in Greenland’s untouched wilderness.
The choice of trails allowed us to witness the diversity of Greenland’s terrain, despite the remoteness of the locations, the logistical and safety arrangements were seamless. The itinerary allowed for a balance of challenging hikes and leisurely strolls, catering to both seasoned hikers and those seeking a more relaxed pace.
If you’re seeking a journey that transcends the ordinary and connects you with nature, this trip is an absolute must.
Emilia – Spain
Henri –
We spend the most amazing 8 days at the Icefjord Trek with Einar at the late summer 2023! The trek was very well planned: not too long day hikes, variable (and amazing) views, high quality camping equipment and so tasty dinners every night at the base camps. Einar is a calm and professional guide with great sence of humor and whom you can count on in the Greenlandic wilderness. The trek was just enough demanding and you do not need to be a professional in order to accomplish it or to enjoy it. We can recommend this trek to anyone who loves hiking, quiet nature and ridiculously beautiful views. It is worth every euro!
Henri – Finland